Piano Lessons in Lederach, PA

Instruments: Piano

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with method books, and focus on teaching my students how to read notes and rhythms. With young students, I also prepare fun games and activities that will help them become acquainted with the keys on the piano. As the student progresses, I find and introduce new repertoire that is appropriate for their skill level. For teenagers and adults, I find out what the student is interested in learning and how I can best help them reach their goals! Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

If students have an interest in learning popular styles, I make sure to incorporate reading jazz/pop symbols into their lessons. When students are able, I have them learn scales and key signatures. For my voice students, I find it most important to pick literature that will be healthy for students to sing, as well as enrich their vocal development. For younger students, I like to both work on folk songs and music theater, and appropriate popular music if they are interested. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Keyboard

From there I take the student through Bach's inventions, Clementi and Kuhlau sonatinas, and childrens' music by Schumann, Tchaikovsky, and Mozart. If a student leans towards a preference for popular styles, I use the Faber and Faber Jazz and Blues series and acquaint the student with jazz chords and patterns. For adults or college students I generally use the Hal Leonard Adult Piano Course which is highly effective for older students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson, while also gently pushing them to take their abilities to the next level when I see that they are ready to. In addition, acknowledging accomplishments help fuel students' desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute

I usually find out the student's musical preferences and try to pick songs from that style, meanwhile, introducing them to classical music or folk music and helping them pick music to work on from that genre.  I follow a similar pattern with flute lessons. Depending on the experience of the student, lessons can begin a little more slowly than with the other two instruments since wielding the instrument is largely dependent hand size and length of arms! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Music Keyboard Electric Guitar

For beginner students, I often begin with the foundations of the instrument. For drums, we would be practice the rhythmic subdivisions (quarter, eighth, sixteenth notes) and slowly work them into grooves that they can easily start to pick out of their favorite songs. When the fundamentals have been established, we can learn more advanced grooves, dissect songs together, and learn how to improvise and write our own drum parts. My biggest focus as a teacher is to help the student discover the music that they want to learn and make so that they can develop their own unique voice. Read More